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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-19-1992 Regular MeetingThe Recreation Board of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday, February 19, 1992 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section St. Present: Chairman Richard Bass,members Rae Jackson Charlie Langham, Stanley Fant and Larry Thomas. Betty Riven - bark, Secretary and Phil Rutherford, Facilities Director were also present. Ann Pearson of the ESJA was present and said she was just trying to give us an update on Sound Event. She went over again the people that were going to be here for entertainment, she told of the food they were going to have, she said it is going to be a family entertainment and would be over by 9:00 p.m. She gave out tickets and a brochure on the ESJA which explained their different projects. She thanked the board for all their help. Vann Saltz was present representing the Men's Softball league. He said they had their first meeting February 17 with 18 churches signing up and they had 24 teams. They play on Monday nights only and he gets with Linda on their practice schedule. Tony Caminiti was also present and said he is the representative in charge of fields. He liked what they were doing. Phil said they are putting in clay in bags like they did at the high school field, Phil said that on field 3 they are making the swale lower, working on ail the fields now. Tony asked if we are going to do anything about the parking and he was told nothing planned. Tony asked if we could gravel on Creamer's lot on Young St. Phil said no, but if they keep the lot clean Mr. Creamer said they could use it. Aaron is also working on the lights That it will be ready to go by 1st of March. They also discussed July 31st as also being cut-off date, no play after that. A discussion was held on what if tournament later, what about practicing on field. The board said we will have to talk about that when the time comes, if that happens come to July meeting and make request. Rick Cleveland was here representing the high school. He said he was here to present to the board a proposal on a batting cage for the high school field. he had a drawing of what proposed- he said he had quotes from 14,400-18,000 he said he would like to have a roll up door, the slab would be $2400 and there would be 2 nets in it. Ideally they would like by this season but fall of next season would be wonderful. Phil said the men are promised and he is almost sure they could not do it any time soon. Mr. Cleveland went on to say that the parents Booster Club had committed their concession money to this project and that they had already raised $4,000 in a 2 week period. That they already have a pitching machine. Jerry Middleton, President of the Boosters Club said that they are all sports, and they feel so strongly about this that they had committed their concession funds which is where they get their money to fund projects. This will be something that can be used by all children. Coach Cleveland said that all of his coaches are committed to taking care of this thru the summer. Coach Cleveland went on to give a report on the Tennis Program, he said the 1st session he had a 4 day week, classes at 8,9,10,11-4 children in each class. he had 92 kids in this session and 124 in the 2nd session, he said participation was great, no time for private lessons, lessons were free, he did say that for the amount of money he made he could be making more teaching summer school. He said the program was very worthwhile but he would have to reconsider doinc_ it again, but he felt we should have it to offer to Fairhope children. Trisha McMahon, Steve Moore and Rebecca Titford were present representing the Eastern Shore Swim Assoc. Ms. McMahon related the numbers of swimmers that they had during last year's program having made a count from the daily register. The numbers were averaged at 126 per day, she went on to say that they had only 145 on the swim team and averaged 50 per day in swim lessons. She brought up the problems they have had with the pool and Phil reported that he had a man out today to look at the pool and he is going to come back and make an evaluation of what is wrong and what it will take to fix it. We know wE have a leak but he said that we are using the right chemicals. he suggests that we have to let the pool rest at least one day a week given the numbers that are using it on a regular basis. The other alternative would be to hire someone to be there all the time and put chemicals in after checking 3-4 times a day. The B uestioned the day cares that came on a regul is and they were told th had 3, Liberty Church, Bay Christian and Da Day Camp. It was suggested that we might want to charge a higher fee for Daphne Day Camp as they should not cause us to have to cut back on Fairhope people being able to use the pool if they want to. The board will consider this suggestion. The swim association had presented a report(in file) of things they wished done at the pool and things they as an association wished to do. The main issue was carpeting the dressing rooms and they had a quote on getting that done. They also wished to renovate the guard shack. They discussed the problem they have with swimmers who come covered in baby oil and how they can discourage this. It was suggested making them take a shower before they get in the pool, this is a health dept. rule and should be adhered to. The board told them if they are looking for something to give as a reason for these rules to say that they were directed by the recreation board. They also brougl out that they had been able to get insurance to cover the board this year but it is a year to year thing and the first thing they are asked is if there is a diving board at the facility. It is a catch 22 situation as some children don't want to come if there is not a diving board and most insurance companies will not insure if there is a diving board and the board members are not covered under the city's insurance. Mrs. McMahon questioned putting a sink in the guard shack for when they serve hamburgers/hot dogs so they can wash con- tainers. The board told her of problems they have had with the health depart- ment over the years and probably it would be better to keep doing as they had done in the past. Further discussion led to the swim association saying they could close Friday at noon and not open the pool until Saturday at noon to give the pool the needed rest. It was pointed out that there could be no one using the pool during that time, not even swim team practice. They said they understood that. They were given the go ahead to start on the floor. They also asked about putting up the sign that use to be out there and the possibilit, of planting some flowers and upkeeping them for them. No commitment was made on this. They said they would get back with the secretary on the information requested on the program so we can get our recreation brochure printed. They thanked the board for all their help. Linda Skoglund was present representing Fairhope Girl's Softball. She said the,, would like to hold tryouts 2/22 and 2/29. The fact that Robert is working on al 4 fields was discussed and it was suggested that the tryouts could be held at the pool. She said this would be okey. They plan to start their program April She said they had 205 girls participating last year. She told of request from Daphne and gave the board a copy of a letter she has written to them. She reported a leak in the lady's room and Phil said they were aware of it and fixinc it. She was questioned about scoreboards and said they go 3 innings and then stop. Phil said he will tell electric dept. something must be overheating. She said she has been checking the ice machine and has not found a leak yet. She asked if the board would help if they decided to buy a new one, (cost for new one would be $2,100.00) She also requested a park at your own risk sign, Phil said that would be no problem. She asked about a request she had for a tournament in August. The board told her that August was when the field rested before Soccer starting in Sept. and that her answer should be no. She said what if she gets request for people practicing to go to tournaments. The Board reponded that if this happens they should come back in July and talk to us. he minutes were approved as written on motion by Charlie Langham, seconded y Larry Thomas and unanimously carried. l The bills were approved on motion by Stanley Fant, seconded by Rae Jackson and unanimously carried. Stanley reported that the band would play at the beach as requested. Rae said she would like to start in May, Stanley said he will talk to him more. Rae said she will see if we can get some of the banks to underwrite project. Rae reported on May Day project, May 2nd. She said it will be from 10-4 at the bay. She told of how she is going to sell tables and that this money will cover port-o-lets, and trolley and train. She is going to start publicity after arts & crafts. She told how she hoped it would be a family affair with people bring- ing picnic baskets and how she had contacted Monty about selling hot dogs and his response. Maybe we could get another group who would be interested in doing this. All agreed she had a good program going and proceed with it. Richard tald about talking with Jim Hasser, Americn Tennis Courts about re- surfacing courts. It will take $9200 for Volanta and $12000 for St. James cour The board asked Mike to ask the council for the $9200 out of capital improveme account. A motion was made by Larry Thomas to request this money from capi improvement and go out on bids to re -surface courts. Charlie Langham second and motion carried unanimously. !8. The board discussed again the building they wished to have to put the equipment it and asked Mike to approach the Mayor and see what he said. He was told we could do it for $47,000. Mike said he would talk to him. Charlie Langham moved that we match up to 9,000.00 on building for batting cage for high school. Larry Thomas seconded and motion carried with Rae Jackson abstaining. She said if this jeopardized fixing the pool and tennis courts that she was not for it, that we had a priority list and it should be added to that. The ice machine was brought up again and Charlie Langham moved to not buy concession equipment for any association, Stanley Fant seconded and motion carried unanimously. There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.